I am not a big fan of GJ Bldg, and I think that the replacement for it is not as bad as I was afraid.
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/ The Latest in Retail, Entertainment, and Development in Raleigh Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.1
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-161 dbearhug Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:06:48 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/#comment-161 I agree with many of the comments presented already. These are public buildings serving a public purpose. I've only been to the courthouse because I've had to, and I imagine that others will echo the sentiment. This is not the place where one would hear the casual conversation, 'Hey, let's go down to the courthouse for lunch/dinner...' Also, because there is a public investment, why should there be a place made for private investment? Look at all of the comments being made about The Mint getting a plum location in a city building. Salisbury Street will need a mix of uses along it's entire length to give it a better vibe. This will probably happen as Fayetteville Street is built out and the next wave of projects move forward include the N&O block, the convention center and the new Clarence Lightner complex. With all of this being said, I'm not too enthused about having to go downtown for a courthouse function and parking 2-3 blocks away. I guess that's my suburban mentality leaking through. Sure, there are two levels of underground parking being put in. But, that will most likely be for employees. So, I'll try taking the bus... Peace
I agree with many of the comments presented already. These are public buildings serving a public purpose. I’ve only been to the courthouse because I’ve had to, and I imagine that others will echo the sentiment. This is not the place where one would hear the casual conversation, ‘Hey, let’s go down to the courthouse for lunch/dinner…’
Also, because there is a public investment, why should there be a place made for private investment? Look at all of the comments being made about The Mint getting a plum location in a city building. Salisbury Street will need a mix of uses along it’s entire length to give it a better vibe. This will probably happen as Fayetteville Street is built out and the next wave of projects move forward include the N&O block, the convention center and the new Clarence Lightner complex.
With all of this being said, I’m not too enthused about having to go downtown for a courthouse function and parking 2-3 blocks away. I guess that’s my suburban mentality leaking through. Sure, there are two levels of underground parking being put in. But, that will most likely be for employees. So, I’ll try taking the bus…
Peace
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Ernest Tue, 12 Feb 2008 20:45:44 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/#comment-132 We can certainly expect - and in a way, demand - to see street-level destinations at the North side (N&O block) and the West side (the block where Berkeley Cafe is). While the new Justice Center will not have retail destinations - why should it? - it is more than necessary that future redevelopment efforts will need to include something more. Private investments are more likely to include retail and entertainment destinations. Nash Square is an excellent candidate for such venues. A bit off-topic, and very much of a speculation, but I can't wait to see the N&O block - most of it, anyway - get redeveloped into a decent mixed-use development. Salisbury and McDowell streets can use some retail and entertainment destinations.
We can certainly expect – and in a way, demand – to see street-level destinations at the North side (N&O block) and the West side (the block where Berkeley Cafe is). While the new Justice Center will not have retail destinations – why should it? – it is more than necessary that future redevelopment efforts will need to include something more. Private investments are more likely to include retail and entertainment destinations. Nash Square is an excellent candidate for such venues.
A bit off-topic, and very much of a speculation, but I can’t wait to see the N&O block – most of it, anyway – get redeveloped into a decent mixed-use development. Salisbury and McDowell streets can use some retail and entertainment destinations.
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-125 xploreusa Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:56:44 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/#comment-125 Ernest is absolutely correct when he points out that "we cannot expect retail and other non-governmental destinations" in a county government facility. I have, so far, personally visited nearly 2,000 of our country's county courthouses, as part of my mission to visit all 3,143 American counties. As I now look back on these fascinating travels, in the context of this story, it dawned on me how totally devoid of commercial eateries and shops these "citizen structures" are exactly. I can't remember any inviting, multi-purpose public/commercial, buildings off hand, but maybe the numbers could be counted on one hand? It didn't surprise me when I would reach another new, distant courthouse, that was as common and lifeless (outside of the trial rooms) as the others -- it was as expected, though. They were all designed over the centuries to get the judge and jury's jobs done. Period. But, who is to say that we, as the county's citizens, cannot expect even more from today's built environment. Why not change the paradigm this time? Let's throw the sledgehammer. Let us demand at least the Nash Square corner area, otherwise that whole block is basically a fortress forcing us to slink around its cold perimeter. Though, at least, we are not contemplating moving out from a beautiful, quaint, and/or lively town or city center and building on a desolate, utterly boring, cheap piece of land, as a surprising number of counties across America have done over the last decade. It is very depressing when I visit those particular "progressive" county seats.
Ernest is absolutely correct when he points out that “we cannot expect retail and other non-governmental destinations” in a county government facility.
I have, so far, personally visited nearly 2,000 of our country’s county courthouses, as part of my mission to visit all 3,143 American counties. As I now look back on these fascinating travels, in the context of this story, it dawned on me how totally devoid of commercial eateries and shops these “citizen structures” are exactly.
I can’t remember any inviting, multi-purpose public/commercial, buildings off hand, but maybe the numbers could be counted on one hand? It didn’t surprise me when I would reach another new, distant courthouse, that was as common and lifeless (outside of the trial rooms) as the others — it was as expected, though. They were all designed over the centuries to get the judge and jury’s jobs done. Period.
But, who is to say that we, as the county’s citizens, cannot expect even more from today’s built environment. Why not change the paradigm this time? Let’s throw the sledgehammer. Let us demand at least the Nash Square corner area, otherwise that whole block is basically a fortress forcing us to slink around its cold perimeter.
Though, at least, we are not contemplating moving out from a beautiful, quaint, and/or lively town or city center and building on a desolate, utterly boring, cheap piece of land, as a surprising number of counties across America have done over the last decade. It is very depressing when I visit those particular “progressive” county seats.
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Leo Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:32:35 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/#comment-124 I agree that this building adds little to the pedestrian experience. While this lacks retail space, 'The L' does not. I can see the coffee shops and restaurants opening up here, getting lots of traffic from those that park in the deck nearby. On a side note, did you take that picture of DC? I think I've got the missing left half: http://tinyurl.com/2qk88r A very cool area.
I agree that this building adds little to the pedestrian experience. While this lacks retail space, ‘The L’ does not. I can see the coffee shops and restaurants opening up here, getting lots of traffic from those that park in the deck nearby.
On a side note, did you take that picture of DC? I think I’ve got the missing left half:
http://tinyurl.com/2qk88r
A very cool area.
http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Ernest Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:25:21 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2008/02/11/wake-county-unveils-justice-center-plans/#comment-123 While most people may get discouraged by the design, let’s keep in mind that this building is a government facility and we cannot expect retail and other non-governmental destinations. I am not as disappointed, considering the original design I saw years ago. The latest incarnation is a far cry from the monolithic building we saw back then. I wish there was a way to save Lawyers Bldg, but given the fact they will have an underground tunnel in that location, I do not see how saving that building would be easy :( I am not a big fan of GJ Bldg, and I think that the replacement for it is not as bad as I was afraid. Hopefully, county leaders will find a way to incorporate some other uses (i.e. an office supplies store, a print shop, a small cafe, private offices) for the street-level, but even as is, we can speak of a major improvement over what we have today. I love the fact that Wake County Justice Center will stand above that big eyesore (County Jail). Overall, I am happy.
While most people may get discouraged by the design, let’s keep in mind that this building is a government facility and we cannot expect retail and other non-governmental destinations. I am not as disappointed, considering the original design I saw years ago. The latest incarnation is a far cry from the monolithic building we saw back then.
I wish there was a way to save Lawyers Bldg, but given the fact they will have an underground tunnel in that location, I do not see how saving that building would be easy
I am not a big fan of GJ Bldg, and I think that the replacement for it is not as bad as I was afraid.
Hopefully, county leaders will find a way to incorporate some other uses (i.e. an office supplies store, a print shop, a small cafe, private offices) for the street-level, but even as is, we can speak of a major improvement over what we have today. I love the fact that Wake County Justice Center will stand above that big eyesore (County Jail). Overall, I am happy.